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Monkey business goes hell for leather to build new life of Bryan

Diary by Alan Lee

November 10 2005, 12:00am, The Times

GIVING up race-riding can be disorientating and dispiriting, hence the parachute assistance provided by the Jockeys’ Employment and Training Scheme (Jets). When Jets was set up ten years ago, however, it was little imagined it would be helping one recently retired rider into business making fetish leatherwear under the tradename Kinky Monkey.

Claire Bryan went back to family roots in saddlery when her eight-year riding career ended but a friend encouraged her to take an alternative route. She is now making collars, wrist cuffs and other items best not described in a family diary, and already has 200 online customers. She plans to expand the range after taking the relevant courses. Don’t ask.